Robin had finally finished another long day at work. By her choice, of course. She felt grateful to have such an amazing job and office. In the last week, it had been near impossible to tear her out of the building. Her colleagues had recently returned from a dig, and they bore her many remains from the lost Skypiean Civilization. A field Robin happened to be particularly intrigued by. She was completely overwhelmed with samples. The janitor himself had to chastise Robin into abandoning her work to get some rest.

Robin threw on her raincoat, and slipped on some gloves.

"Goodnight, Peter," she called, waving at the elderly museum caretaker.

"Goodnight, miss," Peter replied, tipping his cap and continuing to sweep the dusty floors.

Robin opened the side door of the museum, and stepped out into the autumn night with a slight shiver. She tugged her scarf tighter around her neck, and made her way to the main street. Fortunately, the subway was but a 5 minute's walk from the museum. Robin crushed the dying leaves under her feet as she walked towards the the underground.

Ting!

Robin's phone went off, and she stopped. She reached into her purse and removed the device, swiping through the passcode. Peter had sent her a text.

"Miss," she read aloud, "you forgot your files on your desk. I thought I should let you know."

Robin contemplated turning back, and had only taken about 5 steps when she decided against it.

I'll pick them up in the morning, she texted back, thank you for notifying me.

Robing turned back around, and stopped suddenly.

"Where did you come from?" she wondered aloud, staring at the brown-eyed dog in front of her. The brown spaniel barked at her, and wagged his tail. He had on a pink collar, with a white tag tangling in the front. Robin crouched down and reached for the tag when suddenly the dog bit her glove, tearing it off her hand.

"Give me that!" Robin laughed, trying to tug the glove from the spaniel's grip. But the dog held fast, and the glove ripped down the middle. Robin raised a stern eyebrow at him.

"That was not necessary…" she glanced at the tag, "…Chopper. Is that your name?"

The dog yipped happily, spinning in circles. Robin sighed, and pat him on the head.

"As annoyed as I am about this," she muttered, holding up the mangled glove, "I can't just leave you here alone." She smiled. "Right then, you'll be going home with me tonight."

Chopper squirmed around in Robin's arms as she picked him up, and cradeled him. He settled down, and she continued walking to the station. She descended down the stairs to the turnstiles. The ticketer stared at Chopper as she swiped her card, and made her way to the other side.

"Excuse me ma'am," he called to her.

"Yes?" she turned around, giving him a seductive look. The ticketer stared at her red lips and rosy cheeks, and swallowed.

"You aren't permitted to have animals on the subway," he struggled, loosening his necktie.

"Oh!" Robin exclaimed, feigning surprise, "I'm so sorry, I had no idea!"

"I-I'll let it slide," he offered, adjusting his badge, "but just this time."

"Oh thank you!" Robin exhaled, giving him a wide smile.

"No problem, miss," the ticketer chuckled. Robin turned away from him, her expression darkening. The airheaded ditz was an amusing act to put on sometimes.

She stepped on to the escalator, and walked down towards her platform. Before long, her subway arrived, and she walked on, taking a seat near the door. Across from her was a man, his green hair slicked back, wearing a white t-shirt. The t-shirt was a rather odd and poor choice of clothing, consdering the weather outside. But, Robin had to admit; it did look pretty good on him. His head was in his hands, and he seemed to the point of tears. Suddenly, Chopper gave out a small bark, and jumped out of Robin's hands towards the stranger.

"Chopper?!" the man yelped, holding out his hands for the small animal. Chopper leaped into the man's lap, and began licking his chin with ferocity.

The man laughed, and held him tightly.

"Are you his owner?" Robin asked sternly. The man tore his gaze away from Chopper to look Robin in the eye. It was then that she noticed a thin scar going across his left eye, binding it shut.

"Er, yeah," the man replied, "Roronoa Zoro. You are?"

"Nico Robin," Robin replied primly, "I must inform you, your dog was out wandering the streets at-" she glanced at her watch, "2 in the morning. Quite dangerous for anybody, to be out at that time."

"And you?" the Zoro asked, "What are you doing on the streets near midnight?"

Robin bristled.

"I don't believe it's any of your business."

"Neither do I," the Zoro chuckled. "Thanks for picking him up. I've been looking for Chopper since 11 tonight."

"How did he get away?"

"Rascal ran down the stairs and out the door just as I was coming back home from work. Where did you find him?"

"Near the museum," Robin said. Zoro's eyes widened.

"But I'm on 11th street, and the museum is on 1st… How far did you go?" he asked Chopper, bewildered.

Robin sniffed, and folded her gloves.

"Oh jeez," Zoro said, taking notice of the torn fabric. "Did he do that?"

"Yes," Robin said, "but I don't mind."

"Look, let me pay you back," Zoro said, digging into the back pocket of his jeans and producing a ticket stub. Robin giggled, covering her mouth.

"Um," Zoro stuttered, "I seem to have forgotten my wallet, but I'll give you my number and-"

"It's quite alright," said Robin, smiling.

"No, it really isn't," Zoro huffed. "At least let me walk you home?"

"Sure," Robin said, surprising herself. She was usually much more secretive than this.

They reached Robin's stop- 6th street- and got off the subway. They emerged on the street, and Robin walked a few paces before turning around.

"You know," she began, "I'm just around the corner. There's no need for you to walk me all the way back to the station."

"I'll have to pay you back another way then," said Zoro, setting Chopper down on the sidewalk.

And suddenly, under the lampost of 6th street, Robin was swept off her feet and kissed. She held her arms to her chest, startled. When Zoro pulled away, she got to her feet, face and ears ablaze.

"Th-Th-that w-was," she stuttered, words failing her for the first time in her life.

Zoro scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"It's an old tradition in my culture," he explained, blinking his one eye.

"Mr. Roronoa," Robin chuckled nervously, "I am an archaeologist, and I can assure you that in no culture is that gesture an 'old tradition'."

Zoro shrugged.

"Then how about an old tradition in a culture we both know?" he asked, smiling devilishly.

"And what might that be?" Robin asked.

"Dinner and a movie? Saturday, 7pm?"

"Absolutely not!" Robin cried, "How could I possi-"

"Just think about it!"

Zoro slipped his business card into her purse, scooped Chopper up, and ran down the stairwell to the Subway. And Robin thought about his offer all night long.

A.N.: And it's finished! This one-shot is dedicated to my lovely and enthusiastic reviewer Erika Peterson, whose comments warm my heart to the core. She asked for a ZoRo one-shot, involving Chopper as a lost puppy. As well as some and song lyric references, which I have done my best to include. I usually don't like to write ships, but this was an interesting challenge to take on, and I hope you enjoyed reading it, Erika! I'll see you all in the next chapter!

A quick reminder that I will do a request one-shot for followers and subscribers who send in their birthday via Review or PM. I will ask for your request prompt around 30 days before your birthday, and the completed one-shot will be posted on the day of your birthday. If your birthday has already passed, send the date in anyways! I will post belated birthdays on the 2nd of January. I really just want to give back to all of you who have supported me and this project through so much. So please allow me to do this for all of you! Thank you!